1st Nepean Venturers

Rivière Noire Canoe Trip - Barrage Forant to the Black River Inn

June 2005

Participants: Bill Bowman, Christiaan Burchell, Bob Daignault + 7 teens (Venturers, Scouts Canada)

Summary
Spring water levels and dropping.

Day 1 Road Access point 120 on Hap’s map, Barrage Forant; Paddled 7 km to km 113 and camped at the Wall. Decent camping, if a little sandy. A short day, as did not how long shuttle would take.

Day 2 From km 113 to 94 – Excellent site marked on Hap’s map. Ran all of Targie. Only dumps of the trip at ``Toilet Bowl``. Portaged Canyon Staircase to point D. Ran down to campsite at head of Mountain Chutes.

Day 3 from km 94 to 73. Ran down to “short portage” at Mountain Chute. Needed ropes and carabineers to line canoes down steep slope. Ran rapids after portage and Rapides de l’Islet, except ``the Drain``. Portaged Chute de lÒurs. Campsite was a sandy beach, not the best.

Day 4 from km 73 to 52. (50:50 Hunt Club Rapid). Nice large site, room for several tents. Thunderbox is maintained. Right across the river from the Hunt Club. Ran rapids several times. Also ran Hunt Club rapids. Did a geocache at the site.

Day 5 52- 28 (Black River Inn). Ran all rapids, including Manitou & Jam rock. The rest all class I and II with swifts between. Kilometres of fun!

Canadian Canoe Routes Trip Report by Robin

I met a group of 8 teens with 2 adults from Ontario in 5 canoes who had taken ww1, ww2 and some ww3 courses. In the brief time our paths crossed, their skill and knowlege of running rapids really impressed me. It did my heart good to see young folks in open canoes with so much skill on the trail. I tipped my cup of late night rum to them more than once. - Robin

Ref: Topo maps Lac St-Patrice 31 K/6, 31 K/7, 31/K2, Fort Coulonge 31 F/5

Outfitters: We used John Perron
$275 to shuttle the 10 of us with our own canoes.

John Perron: The Black River Inn and Outfitter, stay@blackriveroutfitter.com; www.blackriveroutfitter.com; 819-771-5108, Waltham Quebec. In business 3 years, and working hard to build it up.
-can camp out back, no charge, or take a room at the Inn $70? Or a Cabin for $90-100 that sleeps 8.
-no charge to leave vehicle
-canoes available to rent. Nicely outfitted with knee pads, yokes, straps etc. $30/day. Mad River Canoes (ABS) with lots of rocker.